What is it with Harley riders?

[Gem99ultra]

The movie "Wild Hogs" was just on TV a few nights ago. A pretty good one, IMHO...

Yeah, we had to watch it one more time. I can relate to having seen lots of wanna-be's like those 4.

My saying is, If you can't lay down a thousand miles in 24 hours, you just ain't no rider. Long Live the Iron Butts!

 

[JPaganel]

Obviously you are at an extremely advanced age.. A base Harley starts at about 25K... And fully equipped CVO... Near 60K.. I have one that i probably have 50K into and another that's near 30K. ..They both make that beautiful noise that you don't understand.

Nah, I am just not a Harley guy, so I don't keep up with the prices. All I know is, they are too expensive for me. Even a total boat anchor seems to be worth a couple grand because it's a Harley.

Our lord and master, the Great Harlee David-Sun

(now, if you know that reference, you are probably overdue for your colonoscopy - I got that one from my dad)

I have never owned any vehicle that would even approach that type of money. Even if, by some miracle, I managed to improve my finances to where I would think of throwing 50K on a bike, I probably wouldn't. Can't imagine getting into debt for it, either.

Most bikes I've owned were $200-500 non-runners that I brought back to life. I find a lot more satisfaction in putting work rather than cash into the bike, and I am fine with it not being too shiny. It's mine, it's paid for, and it rides how I want.

As far as noise, specifically, I don't need to make extra noise for riding to be fun. Noise translates into performance only at the limits of what your engine can do, and you will never get there outside of the track or the drag strip. And I already have tinnitus, anyway.

 

[sd455dan]

The movie "Wild Hogs" was just on TV a few nights ago. A pretty good one, IMHO...

Nah, I am just not a Harley guy, so I don't keep up with the prices. All I know is, they are too expensive for me. Even a total boat anchor seems to be worth a couple grand because it's a Harley.

View attachment 821582

Our lord and master, the Great Harlee David-Sun

(now, if you know that reference, you are probably overdue for your colonoscopy - I got that one from my dad)

I have never owned any vehicle that would even approach that type of money. Even if, by some miracle, I managed to improve my finances to where I would think of throwing 50K on a bike, I probably wouldn't. Can't imagine getting into debt for it, either.

Most bikes I've owned were $200-500 non-runners that I brought back to life. I find a lot more satisfaction in putting work rather than cash into the bike, and I am fine with it not being too shiny. It's mine, it's paid for, and it rides how I want.

As far as noise, specifically, I don't need to make extra noise for riding to be fun. Noise translates into performance only at the limits of what your engine can do, and you will never get there outside of the track or the drag strip. And I already have tinnitus, anyway.

That is where I am at with the old 465 YZ has an Answer muffler on it and is still WAY to loud, even with helmet on for me.

I just bought a DB Killer for cheap and going to weld it on the end cap that keeps the packing in.
Heck I wish it was as quiet as a loud Harley exhaust. No need to hop it up, hard enough to keep the front tire on the ground.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Obviously you are at an extremely advanced age.. A base Harley starts at about 25K... And fully equipped CVO... Near 60K.. I have one that i probably have 50K into and another that's near 30K. ..They both make that beautiful noise that you don't understand.

This seems a lot like autofellatio; congratulations on participating in the economy.

 

[the old grind]

Do Harleys have to be like tractors, where only 'new' will do?? (emissions, electronics, complication) OMG, consider all the awesome classics of all brands mentioned(!) and/or pictured in this thread. Should non-current early-millennial H-Ds be denied appreciation? (confessed AMF-era super-fan)

Nice (real) Harleys from 'Evolution' on are a dime a dozen for <$10k - $15k. Just look for the lowest miles and fewest add-ons. btw, I'm loyal to H-D ('64-'89 here) because IMO they don't need bling or mods, and even the after-market is loaded with parts and accessories.

Disclaimer: My panhead has an 8"-over (length) girder front fork, my favorite '75 Sportster sports a bolt-on hard-tail and chrome fenders, and these are the only two of my six bikes w/o factory exhaust. (5 H-Ds but gotta have a Yamaha 650 twin)

 

[JPaganel]

Nice (real) Harleys from 'Evolution' on are a dime a dozen for <$10k - $15k. Just look for the lowest miles and fewest add-ons. btw, I'm loyal to H-D ('64-'89 here) because IMO they don't need bling or mods, and even the after-market is loaded with parts and accessories.

This is exactly what I mean when I say they are too expensive. Evolution is 84-2000. $10-15K for a bike that is 20-40 years old... To me that sounds ridiculous. Maybe I just "think poor"...

Most other brands, you can buy a new bike for that or less. You can pick up a nice used bike from the early 2000s for 1/4 to 1/5 that. Less, if you are handy.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Harley, but it will have a motor and two wheels, and carry you down the road just fine. You won't have the nameplate or the sound, but are those really worth the thousands?

(5 H-Ds but gotta have a Yamaha 650 twin)

I have a Yamaha twin, too (amongst other bikes). 1982, so also 40 years old. It's a 400, and it was free... Well, except a few months of work and a couple hundred bucks in parts.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a Yamaha twin, too (amongst other bikes). 1982, so also 40 years old. It's a 400,

Is that the XJ, with the DOHC? They were snappy for the size. That was the last bike I ever rode. Some woman pulled out in front of me so I kicked the rear out and skidded around her, stalling it when I was close enough to her hood so that I could reach out and touch it. She sat there swearing at me to get the F out of her way. I took it home, parked it on the lawn and sold it that day.

 

[5030]

All I know is Hardleys are like late model cars, way over priced. I see the electric Hardley is a total flop.

 

[Peter 315]

All I know is Hardleys are like late model cars, way over priced. I see the electric Hardley is a total flop.

I took one for a test ride a few years ago it was fun to ride but short range and around 30k not for me...

 

[5030]

Don't make any noise so cannot be a Hardley...lol

 

[goeduck]

All I know is Hardleys are like late model cars, way over priced. I see the electric Hardley is a total flop.

Oh no, they made an electric Harley?

 

[JPaganel]

Is that the XJ, with the DOHC? They were snappy for the size. That was the last bike I ever rode. Some woman pulled out in front of me so I kicked the rear out and skidded around her, stalling it when I was close enough to her hood so that I could reach out and touch it. She sat there swearing at me to get the F out of her way. I took it home, parked it on the lawn and sold it that day.

No, it's the baby XS, SOHC. Not a powerhouse by any means, but still pretty fun to run to bike night at the local brewery.

I have an XJ in the shed, that's on the list to finish. Had a couple more of them. Fun bikes, unless carbs go south. That rack of four can be a chore.

Oh no, they made an electric Harley?

A couple of years ago.

They have since spun them off into their own brand, the LiveWire.

I wouldn't mind having one for an occasional weekend spin, but not for Harley money...

 

[CalG]

I've had more than 50 motorbikes over the years.
Never had a Harley
Now at age 71, I tell myself.......Someday....;-)

 

[JPaganel]

I've had more than 50 motorbikes over the years.
Never had a Harley
Now at age 71, I tell myself.......Someday....;-)

What I tell myself is "never say never". I could happen on a very cheap Harley some day. Not holding my breath, tho...

 

[rocco611]

What I tell myself is "never say never". I could happen on a very cheap Harley some day. Not holding my breath, tho...

never say never, I agree. After my wife passed away I cashed in my life insurance and bought a new Harley road glide. I hadn't owned one since the AMF days. swore I would never buy another. Back to the original posters question, There probably not a legit reason for revving the newer fuel injected bikes coming to a stop other than to hear the pipes. I get that loud pipes are annoying to the public, I don't want more laws or regulations. My bikes are quiet, I don't want to draw attention of law enforcement, I don't want see my off road riding area's closed.

 

[Jstpssng]

never say never, I agree. After my wife passed away I cashed in my life insurance and bought a new Harley road glide. I hadn't owned one since the AMF days. swore I would never buy another. Back to the original posters question, There probably not a legit reason for revving the newer fuel injected bikes coming to a stop other than to hear the pipes. I get that loud pipes are annoying to the public, I don't want more laws or regulations. My bikes are quiet, I don't want to draw attention of law enforcement, I don't want see my off road riding area's closed.

Actually, I believe there are laws requiring them to be no louder than stock. It's just one of those laws which are hard to enforce

 

[rocco611]

Here is Cali there was a push for more regulation, requiring stricter enforcement . I know there are laws already on the books, law enforcement is already too busy with everything else that is going on.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here is Cali there was a push for more regulation, requiring stricter enforcement . I know there are laws already on the books, law enforcement is already too busy with everything else that is going on.

I was thinking that as I made my post above

 

[Tomtint]

Do Harleys have to be like tractors, where only 'new' will do?? (emissions, electronics, complication) OMG, consider all the awesome classics of all brands mentioned(!) and/or pictured in this thread. Should non-current early-millennial H-Ds be denied appreciation? (confessed AMF-era super-fan)

Nice (real) Harleys from 'Evolution' on are a dime a dozen for <$10k - $15k. Just look for the lowest miles and fewest add-ons. btw, I'm loyal to H-D ('64-'89 here) because IMO they don't need bling or mods, and even the after-market is loaded with parts and accessories.

Disclaimer: My panhead has an 8"-over (length) girder front fork, my favorite '75 Sportster sports a bolt-on hard-tail and chrome fenders, and these are the only two of my six bikes w/o factory exhaust. (5 H-Ds but gotta have a Yamaha 650 twin)

The beauty of owning a Harley ..Or any other bike for that matter, Is that there is endless options to make it exactly how you want it , should you choose to modify it. Personally, Im a fan of all bikes./ New , old, It makes no difference. On some level they all serve one purpose and that is to please their owners. We went to a bike show last year durring bike week in Daytona. .. Some people undoubtedly has six figures in their bikes. A good many I wouldn't personally own, But I did admire the time and craftsmanship it took to create them. I haven't been a big fan of the HD offerings in the past 10 years, IMO, They are ugly, have garden variety paint, and they have gotten away from chrome in favour of ..what looks to me to be cheap black base level trim pieces. .. And the new 23/24 revamp body the touring models... Awful IMO.. But someone, somewhere loves it. To each their own.

 

[CalG]

Spent a couple very enjoyable hours on the KLR650 this mid day, putting around on gravel roads in the area I live.
Maybe encountered three cars. IIRC.

Sunny and warm... Two wheels is an ideal way to explore heaven....;-)